Fund-raising prop

How much is the memory of a deceased loved one worth? According to George W. Bush, $150 (minimum). The use of a picture from the 9-11 attacks as a fund-raising prop is a slap in the face to all those who lost their lives that day and trivializes their memory. I recall seeing the cover of the Sept. 24 issue of Time and thinking it a photo op for Bush. However, never in my wildest dreams could I have thought a picture of him taken during those first few hours would be used to obtain the all-mighty dollar for political gain.

Why should we be proud of these pictures, as stated by Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn.? The fact that our own lack of security and vision allowed this catastrophe to happen in the first place is reason enough not to flaunt these images as depicting "courage put forth by this president." If our "president" had paid attention to the many warnings given, these photo ops would not be available to him as a fund-raising tool today. Using the comparison of the Clinton administration's use of the Lincoln Bedroom is typical. Whatever Bush is criticized for, he claims Clinton did it too! The difference is, no one died in the Lincoln Bedroom.